ZTE Axon Elite starts selling on eBay UK

ZTE has started selling the Axon Elite in the UK through eBay. The phone that made its European debut at IFA at the start of the month retails for €419.99 (£299.99 or $469.99).

The company is holding a special promotion for the first day of sales only and will throw in a free 64GB microSD card. ZTE is quite proud of the Axon Elite, which was awarded a "User Experience Gold Award" by the IDG and German Industry and Commerce at IFA.

The ZTE Axon Elite sports a 5.5" 1080p display and is powered by a Snapdragon 810 chipset. Internal storage is 32GB but is expandable by further 128GB via the microSD card slot. You can check out our hands-on to know more about the phone.

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ZTE Nubia Z9 spotted on TENAA with crazy specs

ZTE revealed two models under the Nubia brand a month ago, the Nubia Z9 Max and Z9 mini. Meanwhile the true flagship Nubia Z9 remains unannounced, and that is expected to change on May 6, when a launch event is scheduled.

The Nubia Z9 hasn't exactly been kept a secret though and showed up on a number of occasions sporting a near-bezelless design and a metal frame for enhanced durability. But while there was also some consensus on the specs, a new listing by Chinese regulator TENAA dropped the bomb claiming some unbelievable hardware.

The device, carrying a model number NX508J, is said to come with a CPU clocked at a whopping 3.5GHz. It doesn't stop there, and RAM is quoted to be the unheard of 8GB.

    

ZTE Nubia Z9

The Nubia Z9 was previously said to be equipped with the Snapdragon 810, which comes with Cortex-A57 cores, clocked at 2GHz, and Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at 1.5GHz, in an octa-core big.LITTLE configuration. Looking back to the Nubia Z9 Max, which was already confirmed to sport the S810 and is listed on TENAA with 3.5GHz CPU, you could conclude that the regulators have simply added up the clock speeds of both sets of cores.

Little explanation can be found in the amount of RAM though. In the datasheets, available online, it's not explicitly stated if Qualcomm's chip supports the 8GB, but we're also wondering if there's any actual practical sense in it at this point in time. What sounds most likely is that it's an error on the TENAA part.

A few other discrepancies with the specs established so far come in the camera department, where an 8MP/8MP duo is quoted in the listing. Both the Z9 Max and Z9 mini come with a 16MP main camera, and the Nubia Z9 is unlikely to be a step back. It's also not a dual rear camera arrangement as the accompanying images clearly show.

The microSD slot has also been dropped in favor of 32GB of internal storage, as opposed to the 16GB of the other two models. Another thing to point out is that display size is listed as 5.15 inches, which goes in line with the rumors of 5.2 inches, but resolution is quoted to be FullHD, and not QHD, as previously believed.

Obviously, a lot of questions remain unanswered, but with a launch date less than a week from now, the mysteries will soon be cleared.

Source | Via

ZTE Nubia Z9 leak shows metal frame, hints at 5.2-ich display

ZTE hasn’t exactly managed to keep its next flagship phone a secret. There have been a lot of spills regarding the Nubia Z9, including an alleged live shot of the device. Furthermore, the phone is really bound to come sooner rather than later, considering that ZTE has already made a Nubia Z9 Max and a Nubia Z9 mini official. All that is left in the picture is the standard model.

Today, a new set of leaked images of what is said to be the device's frame has surfaced, giving us a few more bits and pieces of information. In the said photos, we see a metal frame, indicating that the ZTE Numia Z9 will spout a pretty premium design. Sadly, however, neither of the two shots shows a clear view of the back side of the frame, making it unclear whether the phone will have the same metal finish on the back, or go with similar design to its siblings, which are metal just along the sides.

Even if the frame does get covered by a glass, plastic or perhaps even bamboo finish, as is with the two aforementioned phones, the fact that the phone has a metal cage is pretty indicative of its overall build quality. Another important piece of information that can be deduced from the photos concerns the phone's screen. We can clearly see that the frame is intended to hold a panel, extending pretty much edge-to-edge and if the previously leaked live shot is any indication, it should all add up to a bezelless design.

Overall, the approach to the front panel looks quite similar to the one on the Oppo R7. So, perhaps the ZTE Nubia might leverage a similar optical technology to achieve its edge-to-edge effect.

There is one more observation to be made. In both photos the frame is placed on top of the Nubia Z9 Max. Considering, that it has a screen size of 5.5-inches, it is safe to assume that ZTE has gone for a 5.2-inch display in the Nubia Z9. This pretty much covers everything we currently know about the Nubia Z9, but it shouldn’t be long now until we see more of it, perhaps even an official announcement from ZTE. We will be sure to keep you updated.

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ZTE sues Huawei over P8 and X2 camera patents

Huawei announced the P8 flagship last week and it packed innovative camera technology. Or did it – ZTE's Nubia division has filed a lawsuit against Huawei, alleging that the Huawei P8 and MediaPad X2 infringe on two patents owned by ZTE.

The first one is "Slow Shutter and Capture technology," which presumably relates to the light painting option in Huawei's camera. The second patent is more vague, "Imaging and Mobile terminal tech" (note that Google Translate often calls phones "terminals").

ZTE is asking Huawei to stop the manufacture on the infringing devices.

 
Some of the filed documents

The company announced the lawsuit on its official Weibo account, here's the statement (via Google Translate):

Nubian phone camera technology has been committed to research and development, and has started to obtain the relevant patents, we strive to promote the development of innovative technology to the mobile phone industry. Faced with a wide range of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. of plagiarism, we felt it was time to stand up and use the law to maintain order in the industry healthy competition.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

Screen grabs from a TV ad showcase ZTE Nubia Z9

The upcoming ZTE Nubia Z9 made yet another unscheduled appearance. This time around, screen grabs from an unreleased TV ad allow us to catch a new glimpse of the soon to be revealed smartphone.

In line with past leaks, the latest ZTE Nubia Z9 cameo confirms that the device will sport a ‘bezelless' display. The latter utilizes a slightly curved glass, which produces a 2.5D effect. Oppo’s unannounced R7 is also expected to offer such a solution.

ZTE will unveil the Nubia Z9 in less than a month, on May 6. Rumored specs of the smartphone include QHD touchscreen, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chipset, and no less than 3GB of RAM (possibly even 4GB).

Source (in Chinese) | Via

ZTE Nubia Z9 live image gives another glimpse of design

ZTE has announced its plans to unveil the ZTE Nubia Z9 smartphone on May 6. The teaser for the launch apparently confirmed that the device will come with very slim bezels.

We reported about a Z9 render which showed a bit of "bezelless" design and curved display similar to those of the Galaxy S6 edge. Now, there is a live image of the Nubia Z9 simply confirming that the render was legit.

By bezelless, ZTE means that the lateral bezels simply won't be visible and due to the curve of the 2.5D glass on top.

The ZTE Nubia Z9 will flaunt a QHD display powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 mobile chipset and 3GB of RAM. At the rear, a 21MP snapper unit is being rumored along with a fingerprint sensor.

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Upcoming ZTE mid-ranger with fingerprint sensor leaks

Press images of an upcoming ZTE mid-range smartphone made the rounds online. Sporting a plethora of different colors, the handset is expected to launch in China in the immediate future.

Rumored specs of the smartphone include chipset with octa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 5” 1080p display. The camera is tipped to be a 13MP unit.

If the leaked images are to be believed, ZTE will also feature a fingerprint sensor. The latter is visible on the back of the device, below its camera.

A fingerprint sensor will surely help the upcoming ZTE mid-ranger stand out in its highly competitive segment. We will keep an eye out for more info on the smartphone going forward.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

ZTE will unveil 'bezelless' Nubia Z9 on May 6

Last month ZTE made the Nubia Z9 Max and Nubia Z9 Mini official, but not the Z9 proper. This odd situation won't last for long, though.

Today the Chinese company has announced that it will unveil the Nubia Z9 on May 6. What's more, the teaser for the launch seems to confirm that the device will come with 'bezelless' screen sides.

This design detail has been leaked before regarding the Nubia Z9, most recently just a few days ago, when we saw a couple of purported renders of the handset. They do indeed show a display that has virtually no lateral bezels, and seems to curve slightly at the sides, just like Samsung's Galaxy S6 edge (though the curve is much less pronounced in the Nubia Z9).

This same '2.5D' effect is also said to be present in Oppo's upcoming R7, so we may be witnessing the start of a trend here.

As for internals, the ZTE Nubia Z9 is expected to be a real flagship offering, pairing a QHD touchscreen with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chipset and no less than 3GB of RAM (possibly even 4GB). The main camera could be a 21MP unit, while a fingerprint sensor may sit on the phone's back just below it.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

ZTE Nubia Z9 Max delayed because of manufacturing issues

Last month ZTE made the Nubia Z9 Max official,alongside the smaller Z9 Mini. The latter has been quite the success for the company in the first flash sale organized for it - where no less than 68,700 units were grabbed in just 58 seconds.

The Z9 Max, on the other hand, still hasn't been released. It was supposed to go on sale for the first time tomorrow at 10 AM China time. However, ZTE has announced through its Weibo account that the launch is postponed.

The ZTE Nubia Z9 Max will thus go on sale at some point in May. No exact date has been unveiled yet. The delay has to do with the complex manufacturing process required to build this particular smartphone, which is made from glass and aluminum.

The company says it applies quality control measures that are above industry standards, and they have resulted in this situation - along with the very substantial amount of time needed to make each and every Z9 Max unit.

The handset is probably going to be quite successful in China, since it's priced at CNY 2,499 ($402 or €378) and comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and a 16 MP rear camera.

The front-facing unit is an 8 MP shooter, and the Nubia Z9 Max also sports a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, 4G support, 16GB of expandable internal storage, and a 2,900 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

Leaked ZTE Nubia Z9 render hints at Galaxy S6 edge-like design

A new press render of the unannounced ZTE Nubia Z9 made the rounds online. The render hints that the Chinese manufacturer’s upcoming high-end smartphone will feature a slightly curved display a la Samsung Galaxy S6 edge.

The slightly curved display of the upcoming ZTE Nubia Z9 appears to produce a 2.5D effect. The latter is also present in the recently leaked Oppo R7. Rumored specifications of Nubia Z9 include QHD, 3GB RAM, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset.

ZTE announced the Nubia Z9 Max and Nubia Z9 Mini last month. There is no word on the announcement date of the ZTE Nubia Z9 just yet.

Source | Via

ZTE Nubia Z9 will have no side bezels, official confirms

Last month ZTE made the Nubia Z9 Max official alongside theNubia Z9 Mini, but many have been wondering why the flagship Z9 itself wasn't unveiled. Apparently ZTE is still working on the Nubia Z9, and it's finally due to be announced soon.

The smartphone has leaked a lot over the past few months, and many times we've heard it would come with practically no side bezels for the screen.

Today this has been more or less confirmed by Ni Fei, general manager of the Nubia line at ZTE. The official said we should expect "no borders" for the display, along with a launch in the near future.

Unfortunately no other details have been mentioned, but past rumors did reveal a few things about ZTE's next flagship Nubia-branded handset. It should come with QHD resolution, at least 3GB of RAM, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chipset at the helm.

It's still unclear whether you'll ever be able to officially purchase the Nubia Z9 (or the Z9 Max or the Z9 Mini) outside of China. Since its inception, the Nubia brand has catered primarily to the needs of Chinese consumers, but perhaps it would be a good idea for it to truly go international in the future.

Source (in Chinese) | Via